Related: Prisoners, guards clash in Guantanamo

         UN panel urges U.S. to close Guantanamo detention center, end torture

This file photo, dated Jan. 11, 2002, shows detainees on the US Guantanamo Bay prison camp under the watchful eyes of US guards. "Armed" immates and guards clashed on Thursday after a detainee attempted suicide at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cubu.(Xinhua/Reuters)

    BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhuanet) -- "Armed" immates rose to attack prison guards on Thursday following suicide attempts by detainees at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Pentagon said yesterday. 

    On Thursday, four suicide attempts occurred in a single day. One man was trying to hang himself in a dorm housing some 10 inmates. Earlier, three detainees in another part of the prison attempted suicide by swallowing prescription medicine they had been hoarding, a spokesman said.

    The incident took place when guards were responding to the fourth attempted suicide that day at the prison. Immates armed with fans and other improvised weapons attacked guards who were trying to prevent the suicide attempt, the Pentagon said.

    The revolt were quickly quelled. The prisoners involved were transferred to higher-security sections of the prison, held along with some 470 suspected members of al-Qa'ida and the Taliban. 

    The incidents coincided with the US's transfer of 15 Saudi detainees to their home country, and occurred hours before a UN committee issued a report urging Washington to close the prison.

     Guantanamo was opened in early 2002. About 460 prisoners are being currently held there. Enditem

    (Agencies)